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EPA has proposed “guidance” for new pesticide labeling to reduce off-target drift of spray and dust. It’s not clear whether fruit growers will be positively or negatively affected, but probably some of both.
Some fruit growers see themselves having to get along in a sea of field crops that are bred to be tolerant to herbicides. By 2013, not only will corn and soybeans be tolerant to Roundup but also to 2,4-D and dicamba. These herbicides tend to be volatile and to have very harmful effects on some fruit and vegetable crops, especially grapes and tomatoes.
On the other side, of course, fruit growers use crop protection chemicals and may be subjected to closer scrutiny.
“The new label statements will help reduce problems from pesticide drift,” said Steve Owens, the assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. “The new labels will carry more uniform and specific directions on restricting spray drift while giving pesticide applicators clear and workable instructions.”
Critics in the industry wonder whether more labeling will do anything, but it could have an impact on liability issues. Penalties are easier to levy when label instructions are clearly violated.
Also, on a pesticide-by-pesticide basis, EPA will evaluate scientific information on risk and exposure based on individual product-use patterns. These assessments will help the agency determine whether no-spray buffer zones or other measures – such as restrictions on droplet or particle size, nozzle height or weather conditions – are needed to protect people, wildlife, water resources, schools and other sensitive sites from potential harm, according to EPA.
These documents and further information are available in docket EPA–HQ–OPP–2009–0628 at www.regulations.gov. You may comment up to Jan. 4.
In a second Federal Register notice, EPA is requesting comment on a petition filed recently by environmental and farm worker organizations. The petitioners ask EPA to evaluate children’s exposure to pesticide drift and to adopt requirements for “no-spray” buffer zones near homes, schools, day-care centers and parks. The comment period on this also ends Jan. 4.
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